Where to Eat Christmas Lunch in Sydney - Four of the Best

Section: Gentlemanly Pursuits - Blog

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From dirty dishes to annoying family members, there’s a lot to be said for dining out on what for some is the most important day of the year. But is a slice of turkey down the local pub enough to give you that warm seasonal glow? We think not, so it’s time to forget the $10 carvery, get your best tailored suit out, and treat yourself to one of Sydney’s finest Christmas lunch menus.

SHANGRI-LA HOTEL - ALTITUDE

Exchange your mum’s front room for the Altitude Restaurant on the 36^th floor of the Shangri-La Hotel and while you may not get the silly hats and James Bond re-runs, you’ll certainly get some top quality food. This year they’re pulling out all the stops with a five-course meal that includes wines for each course. This restaurant is known for its stunning vistas and award-winning dishes so it’s little wonder that you’ll have to fork out $320 to enjoy lunch with a view. Dress code is smart casual so make sure your custom made threads are pressed and ready.

INTERCONTINENTAL SYDNEY DOUBLE BAY

A Christmas Day Grand Ballroom Buffet Lunch is what they call it, and as far as event names go, this one is pretty accurate. It promises to be a fine dining experience with not only the traditional favourites on offer but also plenty of seafood, fresh salads, and a wide selection of what they call decadent desserts. For $250 you get three hours of endless food, wine, beer, and some live entertainment. The only issue we have with this lunch is that it’s not formal. If you’re hosting a luncheon in a Grand Ballroom, surely you have to ask for a bit more than smart casual of your guests, no?

O BAR AND DINING

Breathtaking 360° views aside, this restaurant has garnered a reputation for being one of the best places to eat in Sydney due to chef Michael Moore’s healthy take on classic dishes. This year he promises to wow you with a four-course meal of locally sourced fresh foods that won’t clog your arteries or have you reaching for the Alka-Seltzer post meal. It’s $195 a plate, but you’d almost pay that for the view of the Sydney skyline alone. Thongs and runners are forbidden so once again this is a time for your best smart casual outfit.

Café Opera

If a traditional lunch with all the trimmings is your kind of thing, then head down to the old Treasury Building on Macquarie Street for a Christmas Day Buffet at Café Opera. All the usual culinary suspects will be there in abundance along with a choice of wines and beers. The big guy in red will most likely put in an appearance or two during your meal making this the most authentically cheesy option on our list. But at $230 per person you can rest assured that the jolly old guy in the Santa costume and the complimentary cracker is the only festive tackiness on show. We’re not quite sure what you should wear to this but you can’t go wrong with smart casual, can you?

Now we’re not suggesting that you abandon your family this Christmas, but there’s always room for a little change. You can even splash out and treat the whole family to a meal and have all your Christmas shopping done in one fell swoop. Whatever you get up to this Yuletide, be sure to give us a call here at Montagio if you’re in need of the perfect festive outfit